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Triniglish | Trinididioms spoken and explained.  Post #58 Yuh is ah Trini | Tankalanka

This one is pretty straightforward and is one of the most popular words used by children in Trinidad and Tobago. Children at play always lead to mischief and trouble for a member that is set up by one of his or her good Paliwal (friend).

Children like to tease and teasing is done in many ways. However, when tankalanka is used it is done to tease and inform the person in question that they are in dire straits - yes, yuh in trouble fren'. That good fren' now becomes a serial teasing machine and won't rest until the person tries to bring about the desired effect - satisfaction that yes, ah get yuh back. "Tankalanka yuh will get ah good cut arse when yuh modder finds out is you who thief the milk and sugar".

Tankalanka is also used as the name for one of my favorite Trinidad Dictionary. It is the compilation of various Trini words used on a daily basis. The author of the work is Ilka. She was  "born in Germany of a Dutch father and a German mother and I came to live in Trinidad (Trinidad and Tobago) in 1971."  The dictionary can be accessed at this link: Tankalanka.

"Ah ha, tankalanka ah go tell on yuh". "No, no don't do dat, please doh tell!" That is a typical usage of the work but then again if you go to Tankalanka the dictionary and look up the work Tankalanka you will get this: "Trouble- said in a teasing tone of voice. Tankalanka! Yuh mudder will beat yuh for this."

Just keep in mind that if you don't have a copy of Côté ci Côté là that you can find what you are looking for from the online 'Trini' dictionary 'Tankalanka'. However, if yuh think that you have me over the barrel and you intend to tell on me,  then start the thing with "tankalanka ah go tell on you"... Yuh see, now yuh is ah Trini!